Word attributes and lateralization revisited: Implications for dual coding and discrete versus continuous processing

Abstract

Three attributes of words are their imageability, concreteness, and familiarity. From a literature review and several experiments, I previously concluded (Boles, 1983a) that only familiarity affects the overall near-threshold recognition of words, and that none of the attributes affects right-visual-field superiority for word recognition. Here these conclusions are modified by two experiments demonstrating a critical mediating influence of intentional versus incidental memory instructions. In Experiment 1, subjects were instructed to remember the words they were shown, for subsequent recall. The results showed effects of both imageability and familiarity on overall recognition, as well as an effect of imageability on lateralization. In Experiment 2, word-memory instructions were deleted and the results essentially reinstated the findings of Boles C1983a). It is concluded that right-hemisphere imagery processes can participate in word recognition under intentional memory instructions. Within the dual coding theory (Paivio, 1971), the results argue that both discrete and continuous processing modes are available, that the modes can be used strategically, and that continuous processing can occur prior to response stages.In a literature review and five experiments I conducted several years ago (Boles, 1983a), it was concluded that the word attributes of imageability and concreteness have no clear effect on overall word recognition or on field asymmetries (lateralization) in word recognition. A third word attribute, familiarity/frequency, was found to be related to overall recognition but not to asymmetry.It may be useful to briefly describe some of the literature and experimental findings leading to those conclusions, with reference to representative studies. Further citations may be found in Boles (l983a). First, with regard to the rated imageability of words, null effects on overall visual or auditory recognition were reported by three studies (e.g., Paivio & O'Neill, 1970), and on asymmetry by five studies (e.g., Schmuller & Goodman, 1979). Significant effects, by contrast, were found in three and two studies, respectively (e.g., Day, 1979).Similarly, rated concreteness presented a mixed picture. Null or even negative effects (favoring low-concreteness words) were found in seven studies of overall recognition (e.g., Richardson, 1976) and in eight studies of asymmetry (e.g., Bradshaw, Nettleton, & Taylor, 1981), while significant positive effects (favoring high-concreteness words) were reported in another seven and six studies, respectively (e.g., Borkowski, Spreen, & Stutz, 1965;Hines, 1976).Taking imageability and concreteness alone, therefore, it appeared that any effects of the attributes on overall Thanks are extended to Kimberly Castelda and Frank Montaniz for running subjects in the two experiments. Reprint requests should be addressed to David B. Boles, Department of Psychology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180. or lateralized word recognition were questionable, since over half of the s...

Right hemisphere contributions to the comprehension of low-imagery words

“…Responses were also more accurate (by 12.13%) in distinguishing low-imagery words from nonwords when they appeared in the RVF. This corresponds with research that has found a RVF advantage for low-imagery words (Boles, 1989;Bruyer & Strypstein, 1985;Bub & Lewine, 1988;Deloche et al, 1987;Marcel & Patterson, 1978;Young & Ellis, 1985). Furthermore, as there is a high correlation between concreteness and imageability (Paivio et al, 1968;Toglia & Battig, 1978), the current results are also consistent with those studies that have found a RVF advantage for abstract words (Bradshaw, 1980;Day, 1977Day, , 1979Ellis & Shepherd, 1974;Ely et al, 1989;Hines, 1976Hines, , 1977Rodel et al, 1983).…”

“…Confirmation of this suggestion has been found in several studies which have demonstrated that imageability, but not concreteness, influences word recognition in each hemisphere. These studies have indicated that imageability interacts with hemispheric presentation, where the right but not the left hemisphere is selectively disadvantaged in processing low-imagery words (e.g., Boles, 1989;Bruyer & Strypstein, 1985;Marcel & Patterson, 1978;Young & Ellis, 1985). A study by Deloche, Seron, Scius, and Segui (1987) is representative of this group of studies.…”

CYB561A3 is the key lysosomal iron reductase required for Burkitt B-cell growth and survival

“…Pathways most highly upregulated included lysosomal and lytic vacuole membrane roles, suggestive of key CYB561A3 activity within this compartment (Figure 3A-B). The most downregulated genes involved responses to endoplasmic reticulum stress and metal ions, including transcripts encoding the stress response transcription factor ATF5, 40 the cysteine-rich antioxidant protein MT2A (which binds zinc and calcium), 41 and the HSP70 family chaperones HSPA6 and HSPA1B (Figure 3A, C). Several HSP70 family members have key roles in Fe-S cluster biogenesis 42 and assist cellular stress responses.…”

The Concreteness Effect: Evidence for Dual Coding and Context Availability

“…The explicit encoding paradigm was chosen, because concrete words are recognized better than abstract words, as predicted by the concreteness effect (Boles, 1989).…”